The John W. Jones House/Museum is located at 1250 Davis Street, Elmira, NY, in an area known as "Slabtown" that was settled by slaves in the 1840s and 1850s.
He became an agent on the Underground Railroad in 1851 after making an arrangement with a local railroad for a "Freedom Baggage Car. He usually handled groups of escaped slaves in parties of 6-10, but sometimes as many as 30.
He buried 2,973 Confederate soldiers and did such a great job at listing them that today, only 7 are listed as unknown. The federal government made the burial site a national cemetery Dec. 7, 1877.
As an escaped slave working on the Underground Railroad, it is amazing that he would be able to show so much respect for the Confederate soldiers.
A Man Who Should Be Respected. --Old. B-Runner
The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.
